Described by reviewers as “a kind of 21st century mash-up of Kool & the Gang and the Isley Brothers” and “all hot sand and asphalt”, Ill Funk takes hip-hop and R&B in a different, yet oddly familiar direction. Ill Funk has performed live with Grammy-winner Mr. Cheeks of the Lost Boyz, opened for Naughty by Nature, Shontelle and Young MC and placed forth in a national competition to perform at Royal Family Affair with Soulive in 2011. Their unique sound will remind listeners of a cross between rapper Common and The Roots, a mixture I certainly enjoy.

Today we are taking a look at their album, “The Duality.” The album starts off with “She’s Fearless” which blends hip-hop elements with a very jazzy baseline. Singer Jermaine Wells then adds his soulful R&B tones into the mix, creating a track that has several different dynamics. “Amazing” is the next track that stood out to me, as the track has a very “pop” vibe to it, with a slightly autotuned chorus that reminds me of Ghost Face Killah’s Ghostdini: Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City.

Overall the album is well done, with “Hot, Crazy Good Love” and “Different Day” being my other favorites on the disc. Look for a second studio album to be in the works, and in the mean time, stay up to date with their latest releases by checking out their social media below:

www.illfunk.com | www.facebook.com/illfunk | www.youtube.com/illfunk09 | twitter.com/#!/illfunk